Belmont Stakes (G1) Day Selections
June 8th, 2012By Jude T. Feld Follow @racehorsereport
1st Race) #13 MARKET PRINCESS will need some scratch help to win the opener, but if she gets in, she is the filly to beat. #11 WET ONE runs at her lowest level to date and should have a say in the outcome with Julien Leparoux in the saddle. #10 UPTOWN GIRL probably needed her U.S. debut and should improve off that effort.
2nd Race) #1A DISTORTED DREAM is well-bred, has been training sharply over the track and will be ridden by his stable’s go-to jockey, Rajiv Maragh. He might pull a debut surprise. #2 WILD TARGET owns excellent form but drew the rail. He could win this in a romp with a good trip. #3 TIZ YANKEE should be in front and may take this field wire-to-wire if left alone on the lead.
3rd Race) #6 OVEREXTENDED has run two good races since being claimed and jumps another notch in class – a very good sign. He should be a solid price as well. #1 DIAMOND DISTRICT is improving and dangerous. Another solid performance can be expected. #7 JETER tumbles into a claimer and cannot be disregarded.
4th Race) #11 LONGWOOD LANE was beaten a neck by Optimizer in his debut and followed that effort with a solid performance in a key race. If new trainer Eddie Coletti has him primed off the layoff, as his sparkling workout on June 4 suggests, watch out! #12 THIRD MARTINI shows a “change of pace†pattern and could pop up at decent odds. #7 MOONSTOCK has improved in every start and can be expected to do it again.
5th Race) #10 ADIRONDACK DANCER seems to have found a home on the grass. He has excellent tactical speed and could get first run on the closers. #5 IN MY EYES owns five improving Beyer speed figures in five starts. He should be forwardly placed and should appreciate the mile distance. #3 MIA POPPY has dangerous early speed and could get a piece of the pie.
6th Race) #4 SKYRING has been on a roll of late and we have been aboard the train. There is no reason to think he can’t annex this race and make it three-in-a-row. #9 INFLATION TARGET always gives his best. He continues to work well and could break through with a big effort.
7th Race) #1 PACIFIC OCEAN should get a great trip right behind the pacesetters. Rick Dutrow should have him ready to fire his best effort fresh. #8 JUSTIN PHILLIP ran run three good races since returning from his vacay. He is drawn well and will be finishing strong. #3 SMILING TIGER blew out super at Hollywood Park while preparing for this race. California speed is always dangerous. #6 GIANT RYAN is one of my favorite horses but he hasn’t run well since the Vosburgh (G1) last October. If he reverts to his old form, he could be dangerous.
8th Race) #1 TAPITSFLY gets the rail and has the controlling speed. She is a very game mare and could be posing for pictures if left alone on the lead. #4 WINTER MEMORIES is a filly of much quality. She returned to top form in the Beaugay (G3) here at Belmont in her last start and has looked sensational galloping and working for this event. #5 HUNGRY ISLAND has given notice that she is back in business and would not be a surprise winner.
9th Race) #1 HIERRO has always had a touch of class. He looked good taking the Derby Trial (G3) over a field that included next-out winners Paynter and Stealcase. On paper, he is the horse to beat. #3 IL VILANO was visually impressive in the Chick Lang Stakes and returned with a black-letter workout. He should be right there. #8 ISN’T HE CLEVER is now in the Steve Asmussen stable. He should come out firing.
10th Race) #1 OMAYAD has been defeating top South American star Quick Casablanca with regularity. He switches to a better distance today and could post a mild upset for Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale. #7 HUDSON STEELE is super sharp right now and could capture this trophy with another big try. #6 BRILLIANT SPEED is a good colt making his third start off a layoff. He should be right there at the wire. #4 DESERT BLANC worked well on the Belmont turf for this and could upset with some improvement.
11th Race) #5 DULLAHAN has been training very well at Belmont and looms the horse to beat. #3 UNION RAGS is a beautiful colt and might finally get his day in the sun if he can last the mile and one-half. #1 STREET LIFE has been pointed to this race for some time and could get in the trifecta. #4 ATIGUN has looked good in the mornings and deserves a spot in the exotics.
